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31 Jul 2019	Real life Rocket Man debuts over water Former Royal Marines Reservist and inventor of the jet-powered suit, has tested it over the water for the very first time alongside HMS Dasher.
31 Jul 2019	US Navy declares missing carrier Lincoln sailor dead The US Navy on Tuesday said it has changed the duty status of the sailor believed to have fallen overboard into Arabian Sea to deceased. Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Richard Saldana had been listed as duty status whereabouts unknown, or DUSTWUN, ever since he went missing on board the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on July 17. More.....
31 Jul 2019	Gap year turns into Navy career Able Seaman Medic Renée Simmons left Shellharbour, New South Wales, for what she thought would be a 12-month stepping stone to a career in the police force. Instead, she found a rewarding career in the Navy. “I joined the Navy in 2011 as part of the Gap Year program. It was a year spent travelling around Australia and experiencing different roles, including aviation, stores and medical,” Able Seaman Simmons said. More.....
30 Jul 2019	Japan Maritime Self Defense Force eyeing purchase of 20 unmanned helicopters The Japanese government intends to acquire around 20 unmanned helicopters for its Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF), local media reports have said citing unnamed officials. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the acquisition of a yet unspecified large, unmanned helicopter fleet would be in response to China’s growing maritime assertiveness in the region. More.....
30 Jul 2019	Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network Synopsis Melbourne has in effect turned its back on its rich maritime heritage. Melbourne was, and is still, a great port city. Trade by sea was, and is still, crucial in underpinning Melbourne’s economic prosperity. Melbourne remains the nations largest port. This cultural and economic strength in Melbourne has not been adequately acknowledged in the public realm and thus far remains undervalued and inadequately exploited by government. The Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) was formed to address these ‘deficits’. More.....
30 Jul 2019	Expanding the allied Pacific carrier fleet: Reviving the Aircraft Carrier (Medium) program With both Japan and South Korea kicking off upgrades to develop their own small carrier fleets – a Cold War-era concept – the Aircraft Carrier (Medium) may provide the US Navy and these key allies, and potentially Australia, with the opportunity to expand naval aviation, deterrence and power projection capabilities in a cost-effective, highly capable manner. More.....
30 Jul 2019	Pacific neighbours impressed by show of force Senior officers from Australia’s Pacific neighbours were among representatives from 15 nations who had a closer look at HMAS Adelaide during Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019 (TS19). The guests included military observers from Fiji, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Tonga and Japan, seeing first-hand the vast undertaking required to execute a large-scale and complex amphibious exercise. More.....
29 Jul 2019	Record Marine deployment provides opportunities and sends a message With revelations of a US$300 million commitment by the US to expanding facilities at Darwin and a record deployment of US Marines, the relationship between Australia and the US is at a record high – this combination of factors provides an opportunity for Australia and a message to the broader region, but it shouldn't be blown out of proportion. More.....
29 Jul 2019	ASPI chief counters with scathing response to White’s ‘How to defend Australia’ Debate is well and truly ablaze, as ASPI executive director Peter Jennings has issued a scathing response to Hugh White’s latest book, How to Defend Australia, which identifies a stark shift in Australia’s defence planning, acquisition and force structure as the regional balance of power evolves. More.....
27 Jul 2019	Australia's largest Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes The closing ceremony for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 has been held in the Port of Brisbane today, marking the conclusion of Australia’s largest bilateral defence exercise with the United States. Over 1,000 personnel embarked on the USS Wasp to formally close the exercise and farewell those who participated over the past two weeks. More.....
26 Jul 2019	Leaner, meaner and future-proofed: China’s White Paper sharpens the edge China’s new defence white paper, China's National Defense in the New Era, has shifted the rising superpower’s focus to developing a force structure and system of systems capable of supporting its ambitions towards the Indo-Pacific and its national interests, providing a clear message – we’re the new king. More.....
26 Jul 2019	Maritime Task Group building relationships One of the successful outcomes from Plan Pelorus has been the Royal Australian Navy routinely raising and deploying Maritime Task Groups. This has created a demand for Task Group Command Staff and the subsequent creation of the Australian Maritime Task Group (AUSMTG). More.....
25 Jul 2019	BAE Systems completes P950 autonomous RIB trials UK defense technology company BAE Systems has completed “one-of-a-kind” trials of the autonomous Pacific 950 rigid inflatable boat (RIB) demonstrator. The company now says that the autonomous technology will allow navies to go beyond the limits of human endurance with unmanned vessels that can travel further, for longer and to more inhospitable environments. More.....
25 Jul 2019	NVN's July edition of "BROADSIDE" is now available to download..... NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly copy of 'BROADSIDE' is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
25 Jul 2019	New Chinese Defence White Paper sheds light and raises questions The unprecedented economic rise of China has paved the way for its meteoric increase in military capability and geo-strategic designs for the Indo-Pacific. The new defence white paper, China's National Defense in the New Era, identifies some old flash points and some new ones, with renewed direction focused on countering American-led aggression in the region. More.....
25 Jul 2019	ADF members awarded Meritorious Unit Citation 25 years on from Rwandan humanitarian crisis Australian Service Contingents 1 and 2 who served in Rwanda on Operation Tamar were today recognised with the award of a Meritorious Unit Citation. Operation Tamar was Australia’s contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, which consisted of sending approximately 700 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in two contingents to provide medical support and security for the medics. More.....
25 Jul 2019	Record US Marine contingent stationed in Darwin The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin reached a major milestone this week with the arrival of additional US Marines in Darwin, bringing the total number of Marines in the Northern Territory to its full strength of 2,500. This meets the commitment agreed during the 2018 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). More.....
24 Jul 2019	Talisman Sabre Maritime Component
24 Jul 2019	China’s next-gen amphibious expeditionary capability takes shape While a great deal of emphasis has been placed on China’s growing aircraft carrier and submarine fleets, the rising power’s Type 075 large-deck amphibious warfare ships have quietly taken shape, sparking the next phase of the Indo-Pacific arms race. More.....
23 Jul 2019	Kim inspects new submarine, wants North Korean military bolstered North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a newly built submarine and ordered officials to further bolster the country’s military capability, state media reported Tuesday, as the North is increasing its pressure on the United States ahead of the possible resumption of nuclear diplomacy. More.....
23 Jul 2019	South Korea to build ship for short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing aircraft South Korea is to launch a new version of a large-deck landing ship from which short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing aircraft can operate by the late 2020s, amid naval buildups in China and Japan. The decision was made during a July 12 meeting of top brass presided over by Gen. Park Han-ki, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea is gaining traction over Tokyo’s export restrictions on high-tech materials to South Korea. More.....
23 Jul 2019	SUBMARINE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA NSW Extends an invitation to all AE1 Descendent Family Members to attend a Memorial Service for AE1 and her Crew at Sub Base Platypus, Kiara Close, North Sydney, (off Kedron Park) on Saturday September 14th at 9.30 AM Full details.....
22 Jul 2019	The five-domains update Sea state As tensions between the West and Iran escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, the Royal Navy has sent a nuclear submarine to the Persian Gulf. The deployment of the Astute-class submarine follows the Iranian Quds Force’s seizure of the British-flagged Stena Impero tanker on Saturday. The navy has said that the submarine is to be used for ‘covert intelligence’ against the port of Bandar Abbas and Iran’s fleet of midget submarines. The UK plans to continue to increase its maritime presence in the Persian Gulf. The Type 23 frigate HMS Kent is scheduled to be deployed to the region in September. More.....
22 Jul 2019	French submarine La Minerve found 50 years after disappearance A French Navy submarine that disappeared over 50 years ago in the Mediterranean Sea has just been discovered, according to an announcement from French defense minister Florence Parly. La Minerve went missing on January 17, 1968, with 52 crew on board. More.....
22 Jul 2019	Future-proofing the Attack class (part 3): regional superiority In February 1937, the Gloster Gladiator biplane entered service with the Royal Air Force. It was already obsolescent; Hawker Hurricanes began operational service late that year. Gladiators were effective early in World War II, but were rendered obsolete by the arrival of the Luftwaffe’s Messerschmitt Bf 109s. A little more than eight years after the Gladiator began service, Gloster’s jet-engined Meteor joined the RAF, signalling the end of the era of propeller-driven monoplane fighters. More.....
22 Jul 2019	Navy League of Australia(Western Australia Division) July newsletter is now available to download.....
22 Jul 2019	Released audio reveals Iranian aggression in Strait The release Sunday of an audio recording has shed new light on the seizure of a British-flagged tanker at the hands of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as tensions flare in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The audio released by maritime security risk firm Dryad Global shows that a British frigate was too far away from the targeted tanker to keep it from being diverted into an Iranian port despite U.K. efforts to keep it from being boarded. More.....
20 Jul 2019	Seven unknown WWI soldiers commemorated with new headstones following identification Seven First World War soldiers who died during the Battle of Fromelles in 1916, previously buried as unknown soldiers, have received new headstones following their formal identification by the 2019 Fromelles Identification Board. The Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the headstone dedication ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commonwealth Commission Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery was important to recognise the sacrifice of the seven men. More.....
20 Jul 2019	Search ends for missing sailor The U.S. Navy has stopped searching for the sailor believed to have toppled off an aircraft carrier into the Arabian Sea on Wednesday morning. In a prepared statement sent to Navy Times, the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain said officials had called off all rescue efforts after “extensive efforts to locate the sailor” by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, the guided-missile cruiser Leyte Gulf, Patrol Squadrons 10 and 40 and the Spanish guided-missile frigate Méndez Núñez failed. More.....
20 Jul 2019	British say Iran seized two vessels Friday in Strait of Hormuz Britain's foreign secretary said Iranian authorities seized two vessels Friday in the Strait of Hormuz, actions signaling an escalation in the strategic waterway that has become a flashpoint in tensions between Tehran and the West. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said one of the seized ships was British-flagged and the other sailed under Liberia's flag. The crews members comprise a range of nationalities but are not believed to include British citizens, he said. More.....
19 Jul 2019	TOP GUN 2: MAVERICK Official Trailer #1
19 Jul 2019	New look for the Next Generation - Navy charity gets a facelift Navy’s welfare fund Keeping Watch has unveiled a new logo, designed to better represent the RAN workforce and to draw attention to a worthy cause. Keeping Watch provides assistance to serving members of the Royal Australian Navy and their families who are suffering hardship, normally through non-refundable grants. Administered by the RAN Relief Trust Fund, Keeping Watch sometimes struggles to compete against other charities during ship fundraisers. More.....
19 Jul 2019	U.S. Navy vessel sunk by German sub in WWII finally found A private dive team has located the last U.S. Navy warship to be sunk by a German submarine in World War II, just a few miles off the coast of Maine. The sinking of the patrol boat Eagle PE-56 on April 23, 1945, was originally blamed on a boiler explosion. But the Navy determined in 2001 that it had been sunk by a German submarine. More.....
19 Jul 2019	Naval Group reveals proposal to strengthen Australian defence industry capabilities Naval Group, parent company for the Royal Australian Navy’s Attack Class submarines, has submitted a proposal to partner with Australian businesses and industry to locally produce the latest generation torpedo countermeasure technology, CANTO. More.....
19 Jul 2019	Japan launches second Maya-class destroyer Haguru The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s second Maya-class Aegis destroyer Haguru (DDG 180) was launched in a July 17 ceremony in Yokohama. Built by Japan Marine United (JMU) Corporation, the 170-meter destroyer is an improved version of the Atago-class ships that entered service in 2007 and 2008. More.....
19 Jul 2019	American warship destroys Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz A U.S. warship on Thursday destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it threatened the ship, President Donald Trump said. The incident marked a new escalation of tensions between the countries less than one month after Iran downed an American drone in the same waterway and Trump came close to retaliating with a military strike. More.....
18 Jul 2019	Search underway for sailor missing in the Arabian Sea Four warships from three countries are searching the Arabian Sea for a sailor declared missing from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday. “A sailor was reported missing on board the Lincoln, prompting the command to hold a man overboard drill which verified the sailor as missing,” said Lt. Samuel Boyle, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon. More.....
17 Jul 2019	Royal Navy’s Martlet missile debuts on Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland The Thales-developed Martlet missile made its debut on a Type 23 frigate as it hit a target boat in the Irish Sea after taking off from HMS Sutherland. HMS Sutherland fired four missiles at a fast-moving speedboat to see whether the weapon could be launched from a ship as well as a helicopter. More.....
17 Jul 2019	HMAS Benalla first Freedom of Entry in 15 years The officers and sailors of Royal Australian Navy Survey Ship HMAS Benalla (II) have visited the ship’s namesake city of Benalla, Victoria to conduct their first Freedom of Entry march in over 15 years. The Ship’s Company’s return to the rural city was the culmination of more than 18 months’ planning and coordination involving Navy, Benalla Rural City Council and the local Victorian Police command. More.....
17 Jul 2019	MV Sycamore - future proofing the RAN Maritime Aviation Training Vessel MV Sycamore has recently taken time in a very busy schedule to help ‘future proof’ the Royal Australian Navy by training and supporting Australian Navy Cadets (ANC). During the winter school holidays Sycamore welcomed aboard 15 cadets from Lonsdale (Victoria), Torrens (South Australia), Kellatie (Tasmania) and Waratah (Southern NSW) flotillas, accompanied by three ANC adult supervisors and two members from Lonsdale Flotilla Headquarters at HMAS Cerberus. More.....
17 Jul 2019	Maximising Australia’s submarine capability with a ‘high-low’ mix ‘High-low’ force structures establish a complementary force package and have typically been the domain of air combat systems – the rise of increasingly capable submarine platforms in the Indo-Pacific, combined with the operating environment and broader Navy force structure, requires a major rethink of Australia’s submarine force. More.....
16 Jul 2019	Australian and US military launch war game operation near Rockhampton
16 Jul 2019	Australian Prime Minister Visits USS Ronald Reagan During Talisman Sabre 2019 Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison visited USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) underway in the Coral Sea July 12, during Talisman Sabre. While aboard Ronald Reagan, the Prime Minister met with several senior ranking U.S. Navy officials during a tour of the ship, observed flight operations and spoke with the Ronald Reagan crew during an all hands call.
16 Jul 2019	French sub launch paves the way for SEA 1000 success Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has joined French President Emmanuel Macron at the launch of Naval Group’s latest nuclear attack submarine, the Suffren, the lead of the Barracuda Class. The Suffren is the first of the Barracuda Class series, designed to replace the Rubis Class generation. Naval Group is in charge of the construction of this submarines series, including the design and construction of the ship and information systems as well as the manufacturing of the main components of nuclear boiler rooms. More.....
15 Jul 2019	HMAS Ballarat Returns Home from Middle East
14 Jul 2019	Peninsula Ship Society - July edition of the "Sea Chest" is now available to download.....
14 Jul 2019	HMAS Ballarat returns home from Middle East Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, welcomed the return of Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat to Australia, following a highly successful nine-month deployment as part of Operation MANITOU. Minister Reynolds praised the counter-terrorism efforts of Ballarat’s 200 officers and sailors, who have worked in the Combined Maritime Forces to seize nearly 20 tonnes of illicit drugs worth an estimated value of AUD$1.41 billion. More.....*
14 Jul 2019	Navy Canteens Ticketing - Membership Membership is available to all Defence personnel and Staff. Membership is free and ongoing for all Navy personnel (permanent, reserves and retired). Membership entitles you to discounted tickets to shows, attractions and sporting events, plus access to free ticket offers. For all enquiries please contact: Grace Martin - National Membership Officer Navy Canteens Phone: 02 6266 4654 Email: Website: www.navycanteens.com.au/ticketing Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4.30pm
14 Jul 2019	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's July Musings are now available to download.....
12 Jul 2019	Show of force In a demonstration of combat power, 17 warships from four nations united at first light to conduct a close-in formation at the opening stages of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019. Amphibious Assault Ship USS Wasp and Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan led the fleet with Australia’s Landing Helicopter Docks HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra and Japan’s helicopter destroyer JS Ise formed up in close proximity. More.....
12 Jul 2019	Barracuda launch heralds beginning of new submarine era for France and Australia As Australia’s own $50 billion Attack Class submarine program continues to gather pace despite concerns, France, parent nation of the Barracuda design, is preparing to launch the first of the nuclear powered vessels. This not only marks the next-generation of French and Australian submarine capability, but raises the important question – should Australia have pursued nuclear powered submarines? More.....
12 Jul 2019	Global wrap-up: $2bn Abrams deal for Taiwan; German Navy commissions new frigate This global wrap-up provides updates of industry developments across the globe, including new procurement deals, capability introductions and key announcements. * Taiwan has successfully lobbied the United States for a US$2.2 billion deal for more than 100 M1-A2 Abrams main battle tanks as part of the modernisation of the island nation's ageing armoured fleet - the deal also includes 14 M-88A2 tank-recovery vehicles, 16 M-1070A1 Heavy Equipment Transporters plus 250 Stinger Block I-92F shoulder-fired anti-air missiles. More.....
11 Jul 2019	Fitting between OPV and Hunter: The need for a deployable, ocean going patrol frigate As the Royal Australian Navy prepares for the arrival of the first Arafura and Hunter Class vessels in the early-to-mid 2020s, evolving regional and global dynamics are highlighting the need for a fleet of ocean going patrol frigates to ease the operational burden on both the OPV and frigates. Australia is dependent on unlimited access to the ocean – as the regional paradigm changes, placing greater strain on the Navy to protect the national interests, is the Navy large enough to execute the mission in a radically evolving geo-political and strategic order? More.....
10 Jul 2019	Another Australian company brought in as Type 26 frigate supplier An Adelaide-based composite materials developer has become the latest Type 26 global combat ship supplier, the Australian defense minister announced during a visit to BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Scotland. Linda Reynolds, the Australian defense minister visited Govan to witness the build progress being made on future HMS Glasgow, the lead City-class Type 26 frigate. More.....
10 Jul 2019	Internal leak prompts HMS Queen Elizabeth to return to port earlier than expected Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth made a surprise return to Portsmouth on July 9, despite having been expected to spend another week at sea in preparation for a training deployment to the US coast. The carrier was forced to return to its homeport due to an internal water leak which was confirmed by a Royal Navy spokesperson to Save The Royal Navy, an independent online campaign to promote the Royal Navy. More.....
10 Jul 2019	13-nation naval exercise concludes in Chile Navy ships and sailors from 13 nations completed UNITAS, the world’s longest running multinational maritime exercise, on July 3. Now in its 60th edition, the Chile-hosted maneuver saw naval forces from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States develop interoperability through complex maritime warfare scenarios and exercises. More.....
10 Jul 2019	What’s in a name? 108 years of the ‘Royal Australian Navy’ It has often been asked, “What’s in a name?�� When it comes to the ‘Royal Australian Navy’, a great deal indeed… On this day 108 years ago, 10 July 1911, a Royal proclamation by King George V granted the Commonwealth Naval Forces of Australia the title ‘Royal Australian Navy’. Far from a mere name change or ‘re-brand’, this proclamation marked an important milestone for Australia and its navy, which was established on 1 March 1901. More.....
10 Jul 2019	What the US needs to counter ‘unprecedented’ Chinese influence in South America As China continues to expand its global footprint, the Pentagon’s top official for South America is sounding a clear alarm: China’s influence in the region has reached “unprecedented levels of influence and leverage,” which will require a whole of government approach from the U.S. to counter. More.....
10 Jul 2019	The Empire Strikes Back: Defence Minister pushes for greater Aus-UK collaboration In a blast from the past, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has used a speech in the UK to renew the special relationship between Australia and the UK and to identify the future of the strategic partnership and relationship between the two nations during an uncertain period in global and regional affairs. More.....
09 Jul 2019	UK investing in further laser weapon development The UK defense ministry (MOD) is eyeing new laser weapon demonstrators and has issued a “prior information notice” for the development of three such systems. Also known as Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), lasers and radio frequency weapons have the potential to revolutionize the battlefield. More.....
09 Jul 2019	Aus-Japan Navy to Navy talks bolster long-standing relations between nations The Royal Australian Navy has hosted the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force in a week-long visit to Australia that built on the strong bilateral relationship shared by the two defence forces for more than a decade. As part of the visit, Navy leaders from the two nations conducted bilateral talks which continued the positive relationship shared by Australia and Japan since they signed the Memorandum of Defence Cooperation in 2008. More.....
08 Jul 2019	HMAS Newcastle decomissioning
08 Jul 2019	Mental health and suicide prevention a welcome national priority Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester today welcomed the appointment of Christine Morgan as the new National Suicide Prevention Adviser. Ms Morgan, appointed by the Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP, will drive a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention, while ensuring prevention services reach the communities that need them. More.....
08 Jul 2019	HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts first phalanx CIWS test-firing
07 Jul 2019	2019 ANL Maritime Art Prize & Exhibition *Entries Open 1 May – 30 August* Stories of life at sea are seafarer stories. We hear them every day at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria (MtSV). The sea is a majestic, mysterious and powerful force that awes us and reminds us of our insignificance and mortality at every opportunity. It can also be a benign and peaceful beauty to relax with and enjoy, and it supports and protects a whole world of other living things for us to explore, as well as the shipping industry. Maritime art is a genre significant to Australians, as the sea embraces our country with 25,760 kilometres of coastline. That’s why the theme for the 2019 ANL Maritime Art Prize is *‘the Relationship of Humanity to the Sea’* Full details.....
07 Jul 2019	Gold Card targeted in Productivity Commission report on veteran support The Productivity Commissions report into “A better way to Support Veterans” has been released. Among its key findings (below), is a suggestion that the Gold Card runs counter to a number of the key principles that should underlie any future veteran-support scheme. The Commission found that the Gold Card was not wellness-focused or needs-based, and could be inefficient – encouraging over-servicing. More.....
07 Jul 2019	Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 formally launched The opening ceremony for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 has been held in the Port of Brisbane today onboard the USS Ronald Reagan to formally launch Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the United States. Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the exercise was designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the Australian and United States Armed Forces. More.....
07 Jul 2019	Enhancing culture for better retention As part of Navy’s growth and retention strategy, staff working in the office of Commander Shore Force have been developing a raft of new initiatives to support serving members while also preserving the traditions, culture and history of the service. One such initiative aims to reinvigorate mess life across all naval establishments. More.....
06 Jul 2019	When John Paul Jones crossed over It is of little consequence whether, in the heat of a 1779 naval battle aboard the frigate Bonhomme Richard — its deck slick with blood, its hull splintered by cannon fire — Capt. John Paul Jones shouted to the opposing British captain, “I have not yet begun to fight!” Nor does it matter whether Jones actually founded the Navy, won the American Revolutionary War on the seas or was an object of admiration among society ladies in Paris. More.....
05 Jul 2019	Moscow: Nuclear reactor safe on fire-ravaged sub The nuclear reactor on one of the Russian navy’s research submersibles hasn’t been damaged in a fire that killed 14 seamen, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday, adding that the vessel would be put back into service after repairs. The Defense Ministry said the 14 seamen were killed by toxic fumes from Monday's blaze, the navy's worst accident in more than a decade. It said some others survived the blaze, but there was no information on how many crew members have been rescued. More.....
05 Jul 2019	SEAL sentenced for posing with dead detainee A Navy SEAL who was acquitted of killing a wounded Islamic State captive but convicted of posing with the corpse was sentenced by a military jury Wednesday to a reduction in rank and four months of confinement. A judge, however, credited Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher with enough time already spent in custody to ensure he won’t be locked up. More.....
05 Jul 2019	It's a dog's life at sea Three dogs and their handlers deployed to sea off Townsville recently, as part of the Australian Defence Force’s Australian Amphibious Task Group. The Task Group was conducting Exercise SEA RAIDER – an exercise designed to test the Australian Defence Force’s capacity to conduct amphibious warfare, stability and security operations, render humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and evacuate civilians from uncertain environments. More.....
04 Jul 2019	Hugh White’s plan for defending Australia simply isn’t viable How to defend Australia sets out four strategic objectives for Australian forces: defending the continent, securing the neighbourhood, supporting maritime Southeast Asia and preserving the wider Asian balance. More.....
04 Jul 2019	Future-proofing the Attack class (part 2): performance and capacity In part 1, we discussed how we ensure we get the right propulsion system for Australia’s Attack-class submarines. We argued that nuclear power is an inadvisable and improbable option and observed that lithium-ion batteries, and other light metal battery technology, could transform the nation’s submarine forces. Here, we examine the extraordinary acceleration in the performance of light metal batteries already being incorporated in submarines in our region. More.....
04 Jul 2019	Sea Series exercises draw to a close
03 Jul 2019	SEAL war crimes suspect not guilty on murder charge More than nine months after he was charged with murder, attempted murder and a string of other alleged war crimes tied to a 2017 deployment in Iraq, Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher strolled out of a Naval Base San Diego courtroom a free man, guilty only of appearing in an inappropriate photograph. More.....
03 Jul 2019	Navy sailor saves four-day old baby A Darwin-based sailor has been branded a hero after she saved the life of four-day old baby, injuring herself in the process. Able Seaman Medic Carly Burke credited her training for teaching her the confidence and skills to resuscitate the choking infant. More.....
02 Jul 2019	China begins naval exercise in the South China Sea China is holding military exercises across a broad swath of the South China Sea, reinforcing its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. A notice from the Maritime Safety Administration gave few details other than saying the exercises would be held square in the middle of the crucial waterway and would end on Wednesday. It gave the location of the drills as between the contested Paracel and Spratly island groups, where Vietnam, the Philippines and others claim territory. More.....
02 Jul 2019	Modern battleships: Arsenal ships and next-gen surface long-range maritime strike While aircraft carriers will continue to serve a pivotal role in the era of increasingly advanced, long-range integrated anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), heavily armed arsenal ships have been floated as complementary platforms that can enhance the lethality of contemporary navies – supporting destroyers, cruisers, frigates and aircraft carriers and amphibious power projection operations. More.....
02 Jul 2019	Hugh White calls for Australia to scrap ships and build more submarines Australia must massively reorganise its planned defence structure by selling off most of its surface ships, abandoning those still to be built and replacing them with a fleet of 24 or even 36 submarines and many more strike aircraft, says long-time Defence Department official and academic Hugh White. More.....
02 Jul 2019	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) July newsletter is now available to download.....
01 Jul 2019	Minister welcomes support for veterans from Governor General Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester has welcomed the focus on Australian veterans during the swearing in of the nation’s 27th Governor General, David Hurley. Mr Chester said both Mr Hurley and Prime Minister Scott Morrison took the official swearing-in ceremony as an opportunity to acknowledge Australia’s veterans and pay tribute to their sacrifice. More.....
01 Jul 2019	HMAS Success decommissioning
01 Jul 2019	A ‘Sewing Circle’ of SEALs and a chief fighting to clear his name It was called the “The Sewing Circle,” an unlikely name for a secret sect of Navy SEALs. Its purpose was even more improbable: A chat forum to discuss alleged war crimes they said their highly decorated chief committed on a recent tour of duty in Iraq. More.....
01 Jul 2019	Australia must do more than flag-wave in the South China Sea There’s a credibility problem in the South China Sea. When ASEAN states consider China’s commitment to dominating maritime Southeast Asia, its capability and the risks it’s willing to take, they undoubtedly come up with a pretty clear-eyed assessment. It’s knowledge won through painful experience. ASEAN states also know that opposing Beijing too strongly will bring punishment, while conformity can bring rewards. And they have a good deal of certainty that China’s strategic intent won’t be changing anytime soon. More.....
01 Jul 2019	Change of command for Navy's flagship Captain Terry Morrison has joined HMAS Canberra as her fourth Commanding Officer, having previously served as Director Destroyers - a job which had him in charge of the Hobart Class project. As a Principal Warfare Officer, Captain Morrison has spent most of his career at sea. In addition to his time as Executive Officer of HMAS Newcastle, Captain Morrison has commanded HMA Ships Geraldton, Gawler and Darwin. He also exercised command of the Australian Navy Training Team ashore in Iraq as part of Operation SLIPPER. More.....
01 Jul 2019	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. July issue.....
01 Jul 2019	Making it easier for veterans to access support Improvements to how veterans and their families access services and support will continue with funding committed for the ongoing transformation of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) secured until 2021. Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said improvements made to-date meant that veterans and their families, in many cases, are now able to get almost immediate decisions on claims through DVA’s online platform, MyService. More.....

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Request for Committal of Ashes to the Sea. Download form.....

Current Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans -
As of 01 January 2018
This is a list of products that are available on a Doctor's prescription for Gold Card Repatriation Patients. Download the list.....

DVA Mobile Apps

The new Operation Life mobile application is designed to help those at risk deal with suicidal thoughts and is recommended to be used with the support of a clinician.

The High Res (High Resilience) app helps you manage stress, build resilience and optimise performance on the go.

The PTSD Coach Australia app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.

ON TRACK with the Right Mix mobile app from the Department of Veterans Affairs helps you to keep track of the number and types of drinks you consume; the amount of money it's costing you and lets you know about the impact the alcohol has on your wellbeing and fitness levels.

Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions
Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions (GARP) is used to assess the extent of incapacity from war caused or defence caused injury or disease for the purposes of determining the rate of pension. Download.....

Planning ahead kit
Overview: Planning Ahead is a publication designed to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. Download.....

DVA Concessions Fact Sheets
Factsheet CON01 - Concessions in NSW
Factsheet CON02 - Concessions in Vic
Factsheet CON03 - Concessions in QLD
Factsheet CON04 - Concessions in SA
Factsheet CON05 - Concessions in WA
Factsheet CON06 - Concessions in Tas
Factsheet CON07 - Concessions in NT
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